Birth Doula Canberra
Lindsay Hollingsworth is a birth doula servicing Canberra, Queanbeyan, Yass, Goulburn, Young and Gundagai areas.
“Most women need encouragement and companionship more than they need drugs.”
- Ina May Gaskin
Birth Doula Services Canberra
Having an experienced doula at your birth will make a huge difference!
The word ‘doula’ is Greek for ‘mothering the mother’ and women have been supporting other women at birth for centuries.
Modern-day doulas help prepare the woman and their partner for the birth of their baby, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
About New Beginnings Birth
Hi, I'm Lindsay, owner of New Beginnings Birth!
I've been a doula since 2011, and I absolutely love supporting women and their partners during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postpartum period.
I'm not only a Doula who trained right here in Canberra, but I'm a Certified HypnoBirthing® Practitioner with The Mongan Method - The HypnoBirthing® Institute.
I also offer a significant discount to clients who book HypnoBirthing® classes and my doula service.
Before You Hire A Doula...
Before choosing a doula, you should always arrange to meet them for a cuppa. It's vital to gauge the connection you and your partner have with the doula.
You also need to understand exactly what they'll be doing for you, and if they feel they can provide you with what you need.
Upon contact, I will arrange a casual cuppa with you and your partner or support person. This is an excellent opportunity to ask lots of questions. We'll also be able to get to know each other.
Prenatal Visits
My package includes 3-4 prenatal visits lasting approximately 2 hours.
During these appointments, we will discuss any previous birth experiences (if you have any), including your feelings around them.
You'll discover what systems within our body are activated during labour and birth, and how they work perfectly together to bring our baby into this world.
We'll also work through your hopes and fears for your current pregnancy and birth. We do this using various activities to help you prepare physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
By the end of the prenatal visits, we will have created a set of birth preferences (commonly known as a birth plan).
It's best if your support person is there for these appointments, as together, we'll become your birth team.
You'll also receive phone and email support for any questions you may have, big or small, throughout your pregnancy and for the first six weeks after the birth. I'm always just a call or an email away.
Labour & Birth Support
I will be on call for your birth from 37 weeks gestation until you birth your baby. Some women don’t give birth until they're 42 or 43 weeks or more, which is completely normal.
I will support you in your chosen environment depending on your needs and when you contact me. This might be your home to begin with, then the hospital or other place of birth.
I will be by your side, supporting you and your partner (or support person) during labour and birth. The birth support will continue until you're settled, and your baby has had their first breastfeed.
Postnatal Visit
I will visit you after the birth, whether in a hospital or at home.
Depending on your needs, you'll receive 1-2 visits post-natally. One of these visits would be to debrief your birth, a very important process even if your birth went exactly the way you wanted.
During the other visits, I can help you in any way you need. This might include, for example, entertaining the toddler, catching up on some washing and cleaning, demonstrating baby wearing and discussing the benefits of doing so.
Partner Support
In a healthy relationship, I cannot stress enough how important the role of the intimate partner is to a birthing woman.
One of the biggest fears of the partner or support person is that they won’t have a role to play if you hire a doula.
This just isn’t the case. A doula and birth partner play two very separate roles, with each bringing something different into the birth space. No one could replicate the intimate connection you have with your partner. Just as your partner couldn't possibly replicate the skilled and experienced birth support you'd get from a doula.
Your birth partner will be fully supported by me to support both themselves and you. I often find birth partners become big advocates for having a doula, once the birth is over.
How Much Does Doula Support Cost?
My current package for birth support is $2,800. Payment plans are available.
This includes 3-4 pre-natal visits approximately two hours long, the birth, and 1-2 visits post-natally (depending on your needs).
I have limited availability, so please send an enquiry and we can discuss options.
Make An Enquiry
Want to enquire about New Beginnings Birth's doula services?
Fill out your details in the form below, and I'll be in touch as soon as possible.
When I'm attending births, response times can be delayed.